492 PROCEEDINGS OP SECTION G. 



papyrifera), impress one with tlie idea of the Roman toga and 

 Oriental robes of ancient times. Fine mats of a plaited grass are 

 worn on state occasions, and also a shaggy mat woven from the 

 prepared bark of the Hibiscus liliaceus, bleafhed wliite or coloured 

 with a native dye. On some islands the maro, a long narrow plaited 

 girdle forms the dress of the males, and a shaggy petticoat of long 

 grass or Hihisens bark is worn by the women. The Ptipuans 

 generally despise clothing. A very slight covering was worn by 

 the New Hebrideans, but in New Caledonia and the Loyalty 

 Group the males went nude, and atfected only some covering 

 to the head, like a Persian cap or turban. The adult women 

 wore a small covering or fringe of grass or bark. In New 

 Guinea, the males go naked,, but the females wear a long apron 

 extending to the knees. Space will not allow more than a bare 

 i-emark on the ornaments worn by each race ; in these a difference 

 of taste is manifested respectively by them. The Malayan 

 rejoicing chiefly in dressed feathers, flowers, and strong-scented 

 seeds, while the Papuan adopts a profusion of ornaments of 

 feathers, shells, and pig's tusks, etc., and luxuriates in paint and 

 pigments, as did the Fijian in former days. 



It would be interesting to notice their furniture, implements, 

 manufactures, modes of transit, also (which are more important) 

 their political economy, forms of government, laws, orders, mode 

 of warfare, and legendary lore ; but it is not possible here to treat 

 of these even cursorily. Still, before bringing this paper to a 

 close I must speak briefly of their religion, mythology, and super- 

 stitions. The subject of this paper treats of matters of the past 

 more than of the pi'esent phase of things, and although using the 

 present tense we must be understood to refer to former conditions 

 and state of things. The introduction and spread of Christianity 

 have produced a wonderful change throughout Polynesia, and the 

 consequent advance of civilisation has almost obliterated primitive 

 customs and habits, and the condition of these people is vastly 

 improved, though there remains abundant room for future progress. 



The Polynesians east and west were idolaters, with "lords many 

 and gods many." Some were wholly given to idolatory, and slaves 

 of most degrading superstitions. Idolatory saturated the whole 

 framework of society, and every circumstance of life ; particular 

 deities were supposed to preside over every state and condition of 

 men, and govern the destinies of nations, families, and individuals. 

 Human sacrifices were oftered to these gods, often of a most 

 sanguinary character, especially in times of danger or distress. In 

 this respect the Eastern Polynesians stand forth most conspicuously. 

 The annals of the Sandwich Islands, and of the Society and Hervey 

 Groups give many a dark record of human sacrifice to propitiate their 

 hideous idols, or appease their wrath. These gods were generally 

 represented as implacable and vengeful, and the authors of all 

 calamities. The native mind seems never to have entertained the 

 idea of a beneficent and compassionate Being in any of their 



